Sick motorcycle taxi riders, popularly known as boda boda riders, will receive Ksh1,000 per night under the new Boda Riders Super Cover.
Super Cover, launched by Old Mutual in partnership with the Kenya Bodaboda Association (KBA), Rescue.Co, Incourage Insurance, and Rafiki Microfinance Bank, has been hailed as a new solution that offers cover for hospitalisation and last expense support to boda boda riders.
Speaking during the launch, the Managing Director (MD) of Old Mutual Life Assurance Kenya, Martin Karenju, said the initiative responds directly to the daily realities of boda boda riders.
The cover is designed to provide boda boda riders and owners with financial support during hospitalisation and in the unfortunate event of loss of life.
Insured riders will receive Ksh1,000 per night of hospitalisation beginning from the third night. The benefit is payable for up to 50 nights within a calendar year. In the event of death, the cover provides a Ksh100,000 last expense benefit to the nominated next of kin.
The number of boda boda operators in Kenya is increasing rapidly, and so are their needs. This cover is built to meet their realities, offering cash support when hospitalisation interrupts earnings and dignified support for families when tragedy strikes. With trusted partners and KBA’s nationwide reach, we are making protection simpler, faster, and closer to riders.
Boda Boda Accidents
He explained that the product is significant to the industry, especially after a recent report showing that 1,000 individuals received treatment for motorcycle crash injuries in an 18-month period, where the mean stay was 18 days, and 28% of patients stayed more than three weeks.
Motorcycle users also accounted for roughly 35 percent of all road deaths in Kenya in 2023, highlighting the vulnerability of both riders and passengers.
Overall, road trauma remains a major economic burden, with research showing that road crashes cost Kenya between three and five percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.
The MD said the figure translates to about Ksh310 billion lost in productivity, medical treatment, and related expenses.
Also Read: Ruto’s Advisor Calls for Ban on Boda Bodas in Major Cities
Contribution to the Economy
He also emphasized that the boda boda sector itself is one of the most dynamic and vital pillars of Kenya’s economy.
Estimates by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) point to over 1.6 million active riders nationwide, with more than two million licensed operators.
KBA’s National Executive Chairman, Charles Gichira, said the riders are a lifeline for urban and rural mobility and an important source of income for young people and families.
Gichira stated that the new cover seeks to secure the community by ensuring that financial shocks do not cripple households when accidents occur.
Also Read: Boda Boda Riders to Get Roam Electric Bikes for as Low as Ksh 25,000 in New Deal
Roles of the Different Partners
Old Mutual brings long-standing expertise in health and risk solutions to the partnership to ensure reliable underwriting, product design, and claims settlement.
On its part, KBA will facilitate member enrolment and serve as the primary touchpoint for claims.
On the other hand, Rescue.Co will provide emergency coordination and referral support, while Incourage Insurance and Rafiki Microfinance Bank will focus on distribution, premium collection, and financing for the riders and owners.
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